Soonthorn Suree, Emirates manager for Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and
Laos, received the Friends of Thailand Award 2002 from Juthamas Siriwan,
governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, for the airline’s
contribution to the Thai tourism industry. The presentation took place at
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok. The Friends of Thailand
Awards are presented to contributors of Thai tourism development, in terms
of increasing tourist arrivals and enhancing Thailand’s image in the
international arena.

Qantas makes educational presentation

Qantas Airways, led by Supeepun Pooripanyawancih (center) sales manager,
Prasong Cherdchaikul (right) sales executive, and Sirin Atthabodeekul
(left), marketing executive recently organized a Qantas Airways booth at
the ‘Study in Australia with CP 2002/2003’ Educational Presentation
held at Pathumwan Princess Hotel. During the presentation, more than 1,000
students and their parents visited the Qantas Airways booth.

Taiwanese eager for direct links with China but remain wary

The Associated Press

More than 50 percent of Taiwanese are eager to open
direct links with China, but are worried about the security threat they may
pose, according to a recent poll.

The survey was conducted by TVBS cable news just as
Taiwan’s government prepares to release a plan for air links with China at
the end of November.

According to the poll, 51 percent of Taiwanese support
the opening of direct flights to China, and 30 percent are opposed to the
move. The other 19 percent didn’t have an opinion.

Taiwan has imposed a ban on direct transportation links
since it split from the mainland amid civil war in 1949. But as trade has
boomed between the two sides, Taiwanese businesses have complained about the
cost and time of traveling to China via a third location, usually Hong Kong.

Although the poll showed strong support for the opening
of flights, 52 percent of those questioned said they were also worried about
the security risks of such a move. Forty percent weren’t worried and the
rest didn’t have an opinion.

Taiwanese defense officials have long cautioned that
opening up transportation links to China would give the Chinese military an
easy way of launching a “Trojan Horse” attack on the island. They say
the Chinese could pile troops into commercial jets or let paratroopers jump
from them, attack military installations and surge on government offices.

In recent months, however, both Chinese and Taiwanese
leaders have been warming to the idea of ending the ban. Both sides,
however, have yet to agree on just how they could do that.

Emirates soaring high on the World Wide Web

Online service simultaneously launched in Thailand and Malaysia

Flying with the world’s most acclaimed airline has
gotten even easier. Emirates just recently introduced its online booking
service in Thailand and Malaysia, providing web-savvy travelers a convenient
and personalized way to arrange their travel plans.

Through its website, www. emirates.com, customers can not
only book their tickets but also book for accommodation, tour packages and
hire a car online.

“For some time now, our customers in Thailand have
expected us to offer them this kind of service. Now, they can make their
travel arrangements more conveniently,” said Soonthorn Suree, Emirates
manger for Thailand.

One of the key features of the website is the
newly-acquired internet booking engine which directly interfaces with
Emirates’ own reservations system (MARS) and allows the viewing of
real-time flight arrival and departure times.

Detailed information about its fleet, in flight dining
and entertainment, and duty-free offerings are available on the website.
This single point of service enables travelers to book an airline seat,
arrange their hotels, customize their tour plans, and rent a car.

“Our customers clearly like being able to finalize
their travel plans with a service that is accessible to them anytime they
need. The Internet is fast and cost-effective and will help us win and
retain business by marketing our products and services to customers as
individuals,” Soonthorn added.

The online system also enables Emirates to directly help
the travel industry with more accessible information, products and services.
It also assists travel agents in marketing and communication, which
translates to better customer service and greater revenues for them.

Since the year 2000, Emirates has enhanced its presence
on the World Wide Web to provide greater convenience for passengers.

The 11th International Fishing Competition was held
November 15 to 17 at Chalong Bay in the southern resort island of Phuket to
promote tourism in the province.

Panu Massirat, vice-president of the Phuket Tourism
Business Association and chairman of the International Fishing Competition
organizing committee disclosed that the 3-day-event was aimed to promote
tourism and to raise public awareness on river and ocean conservation.

Panu said that all previous competitions received
satisfactory responses from sport fishermen and Phuket has become a favorite
place for them to visit.

“Many tourists who are fond of fishing have visited and
rented boats for fishing along the Andaman coast, generating income to the
province,” said Panu.

Those who come to Phuket for sport fishing are mainly
from Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. “Even Thai
tourists are showing their interests in fishing,” he said.

Panu added that it is expected that the tourists,
fishermen and their companions who join this competition will circulate
approximately10-15 million baht to hotels, accommodations, restaurants and
rental boat business in Phuket Province. (TNA)